Joia Spirit
Ideally, these would have launched for the July 4th holiday, but you know how those pesky TTB alcohol labeling laws can muck up the works. So we'll just have to think of these as a late summer treat.
Later this month, Joia Soda–that locally owned all-natural soda company with kicky flavors like Orange Jasmine & Nutmeg and Lime Hibiscus & Clove–will be releasing their first truly spirited beverages: sparkling Joia Spirit Craft Cocktails in cans. Those original flavorful sodas designed with Dan Oskey have long been a boon for drinkers looking for a quick and high-quality mixer—now they're just making it easier.
I tasted the three flavors they'll start with:
Sparkling Greyhound: Vodka + Grapefruit Chamomile & Cardamom soda. This one is pretty light and refreshing with 6% alcohol.
Sparkling Cosmopolitan: Vodka + Cranberry Pear & Lime. This is made with an unreleased flavor they had been working on, and it makes total sense as a Cosmo (which, are cool again?).
Sparkling Moscow Mule: Vodka + Ginger Apricot & Lime. Mules are the vodka drink of the moment, and this one is nicely ginger forward without too much burn—the fruit and citrus give it a nice balance.
Truthfully, I've had a difficult time getting behind the hard soda trend, mainly because they tend to come out metallic or chemical-flavored more often than not. But these stayed really true to the natural sodas themselves, and I could easily find a koozie for all of them as I head out for one last spin on the boat (if I had a boat, which I don't ... but I have a lawn chair, and a lawn, so.)
The drinks will be available in 12 oz. sleek cans, and will retail for about $3.99 each or $14.99 for a four pack. Realize that one can is really like two 6oz. drinks, and you're looking at a sweet deal.
